Reproducer for lateral-cut records



Dec. 15 Iv1925.

C. E. SEMPLE, JR

REPRODUCER FOR LATERAL CUT RECORDS Filed Feb. 14. 1924 3 vwc-ntoz Sengleyl afferma,

Patente-d Dec. 15, lgS.

UNITED STATES CHARLES E. SEMPLE, JR., OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.

REPRODUCER FOR LATERAL-CUT RECORDS.

App1icaton filed February 14, 1924. Serial No. 692,888.

To all whom t may cof/wcm:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. SEMPLE, J r., citizen of the United States, residing at Youngstown, in the county lof Mahoning and State of Ohio, have invented certain new andy useful Improvements in Beproducers for Lateral-Cut Records, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to reproducers for phonographs and the like and has particular reference to an improved stylus or needle bar construction and mounting therefor.

A primary object of the invention is lto provide a construction which is particularly adapted for use in connection with lateral cut records. tion embodies a stylus or needle bar which is coordinated with the diaphragm in such a manner as to eliminate undue strain upon the latter and without hindering the free movement of the stylus or needle bar.

Another object is to provide novel means for imparting balanced tensioning forces to said diaphragm according to the principle of my prior Patent No. 1,480,786, dated J an. 15, 1924.

With the'above and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter morefully described, illustrated and claimed. I

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a front elevation of ya reproducer constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof looking in the direction indicated by the arrows on line 2 2 of Figure 1.

' Figure 8 is an elevation partly in section looking in the direction of the arrows on line 3-3 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a detail View looking in the direction of the arrows on line of Figure 1.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several iigures of the drawings. 1

The present invention carries into effect, in a reproducer for lateral cut records, the same general theory of the stylus or needle bar construction set forth in my former patent wherein a reproducer for vertical cutv In that connection the invenrecords is-shown. That is, I propose to use a bar which `is of special formation in crosssection to add stiffness, and to provide a connection between said bar and the diaphragm whereby balanced tensioning forces will be applied thereto. Thus, the stylus or needle bar is connected with the diaphragm 1n unitary relation with each other, while at the same time the necessary freedom of action of the diaphragm at all points of oscillation will be permitted and without imposing any undue strains `on the diaphragm due ltoo the tensioning of the stylus or the needle ar. In the specific embodiment of my present invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, I have interposed directly between the needle bar and the diaphragm, a yieldable connection for imparting opposed tensioning forces to said diaphragm.

The present device includes in its organization a frame A for supporting a lateral cut record and containing a diaphragm B, a bridge C `connected to they frame, a stylus or needle bar D carried by the bridge, and a yieldable connection E between the needle bar and the diaphragm. The needle bar is provided with a needle holder so arranged as to support the needle in a plane parallel to the general plane of the diaphragm and at a suitable angle to theplane of the record so as to permit the reproducer to function with lateral cut records.

The bridge C extends tangentially across the frame and over the diaphragm B. The needle bar D is pivoted to the bridge C to rock longitudinally about an axis disposed in a plane parallel to the plane ofthe diaphragm B, and is formed from anelongated bar of metal which is preferably rectangular in cross-section. The bridge C is pro-vided on its under face with a pair of spaced pivot points 5 5 preferably of conical formation, while the needle bar D ispiovided with fulcrum seats 646 which receive the pivot points so as Vto permit the bar torock about its longitudinal axis.

' In order to retain the needle bar on its' fulcrum I`have provided a keeper 7 whichl consists of a strip of metal having one end secured by a clamp 8 to one end of the needle bar. This plate is bent intermediate itsends to provide a free end portion which extends under and parallels the needle bar, and the extreme end thereof is bent upwardly 'as at 9 to forma keeper finger 10.

This linger terminates in a pointedend and is disposed in a seat 11 formed in the. needley bar. The point of engagement between the ylinger 10 and the needle bar is in a line containing the pivots 5 5, and as a result, the needle bar will be free to oscillate about its longitudinal axis. needle bar is formed witlra depending needle holder 12 for supporting a needle N in a plane parallel to the plane or the diaphragm B and at an angle of approximately 450 tothe horizontal plane of the lateral cut record. A clamping screw 13 is associated with the holder to secure the needle in position therein'.`

Secured to the needle. bar D and extending through an 'opening 14C iny the bridge C is a needle arm' 15, which isof substantiallyr U-sliaped or channel formation and may be made of a comparatively Sofft metal. This arm extends' radially relative to the diaphragm B and has its `tree end terminating at a point substantially above the center thereof.

In order to coordinate the needle-` bar with they diaphragm in such a manner as to retain both elements. in tension relation with'out subjecting4 tlie'diaphragm to undue strain or impeding the free action" ot the needle' bar'l have provided the connection W This connection includes a link rod 1G which extends through an openingl 17 formed in thev diaphragm B, the inner end ot the link rod is threaded'ior engagementwith aV clamping nut`18. Disposed between said nut and the diaphragm is a clamping element 19 which in this instance coi'nprises a disk 2O and one or more sott' washers 21, the latter being disposed between the disk 2O andthe" diaphragm.l Disposed against the outer 'face of the diaphragm is an outer clai'nping elementV 22 which' in' this instance consists of a nonmetallic :disk 23 and a pad or washer 2i oit soft material, said washer being disposed between the disk 3 and the outer 'tace/oit the diaphragm. The outer' end portion ot the link rod' 16 is preferably flattened andV is termed with an eye 25through'whicl1 the tree end ot the needle arm 15 extends. Disposed between the tree end of the needle arm 15 and. the outer clamping ele1iient 22 is a spring 26. This spring is'forined i'roin a single length. ot wire which is centrally bent inwardly to iform' a seat 27 for receiving the needle arm 15. Thus the spring 28 is bent to formparvallel curved arms 28-28 and these arms lare bent at their ends to iorm feet 29--29 and respectively engaging' openings 305-3() formed in the disk 23 ofthe outer clamping device, said openings being respectively l disposed on opposite sides of the link rod'16- This spring which engages the needle arm 1'5 exerts a pressure on' said' arm inthe direction away freni the The lower end of the4 diaphragm B and the arm through the eye 25 will cause an outward pressure to beez;- erted on the inner clamping element 19, at the same time the spring 26 urges the outer clainpii'ig elementagainst the diaphragm. Consequently, theyieldable connection just described imparts opposed tensioning forces to the diaphragm.

Thus l have provided a reproducer which is especially adapted :tor use in connectiony 1. A sound reproducer of the class described including a diaphragm,` a vneedle bar, a connection between the needle bar and the diaphragm comprising clamping devices respectively disposed against the inner and outer faces ot said diaphragm, and a link rod' extending outwardly from the inner clamping'device through the diaphragm and the outer clamping device and having its outer end connected with the arm of said needle bar, and a spring interposed between t-he outer clamping device and the arm for in'ip'artin'g opposing tensioning forces to the diaphragn'i, saidspring being formed from a single length of'wire bent intermediate its ends to form curved arms, the connecting portion between the arms being disposed against the arm of the needle bar and the free ends of the spring engaging the outer clamping device.

2. A sound reproducer ot the class described including a diaphragm, a needle bar, a vconnection between the needle bar and the diaphragni comprising clampingdevices respectively disposed against the inner and outer itacesot said diaphragm, and a link rod extending outwardlv from the inner clampinodevice through the diaphragm and the outer clamping device and having its outer end connected with the arm ot said needle bar7 and a spring interposed between the outer clamping device and the arm for impartiniVT opposing tensioning forces to the diaphragm, said spring being formed from a'single length ot wire bent intermediate its ends to form curved arms. the connecting portion between the sans being bowed inwardly towards the diaphragm to form a seatfor receiving the of the needle baiand the iree ends of the spring engaging the outer clamping device.

3. A sound reproducer of the class described including a diaphragm, a needle bar, a. connection between the needle bar and the diaphragm comprising clamping devices respectively disposed against the inner and outer faces of said diaphragm, a link rod extending outwardly from the inner cla-mping device through the diaphragm and the outer clamping device and having its outer end connected with the arm of said needle bar, and a. spring interposed between the outer clamping device and the arm for imparting opposing tensioning2 forces to the diaphragm, the outer clamping device having a pair of seats respectively located on opposite sides of said link rod, said spring being formed from a single length of wire bent intermediate its ends to form curved arms, the connecting portion between lthe arms being disposed on the arm of the needle bar and the free endsof the spring engaging the seats of the outer clamping' device.

4. A sound reproducer of the class described including a diaphragm, a needle bar, a connection between the needle bar and the diaphragm comprising clamping devices respectively disposed against the inner and outer faces of said diaphragm, and a link rod extending outwardly from the inner clamping device through the diaphragm and the outer clamping device andv having its outer end connected with said needle bar, and a spring interposed between the outer clamping device and the needle bar.

5. In a reproducer of the class described, a diaphragm, a support,'a bar mounted on said support to rock transversely on its longitudinal center, means for yieldingly holding said bar to said support, a needle clamping device projecting laterally from one face of the bar and at one end thereof, andan arm projecting from the other face of the bar and at the opposite end thereof, and a connection between said arm and the diaphragm.

6. In a reproducer of the class described, a diaphragm, a support, a bar mounted on said support and adapted to rock transversely on its longitudinal center, a spring for yieldingly maintaining said bar against the support, means provided from one face of the bar to hold a needle, and means provided fromv another face of the bar for imparting movement imparted to said bar by the needle clamping means to the diaphragm, said means including an arm and the connection between said arm and the diaphragm.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature.

CHARLES sEMPLE, JR. 

